Animal rescue group using smart technology to help find pets homes

(7 Dec 2013) LEADIN
An animal rescue group in the Indonesian capital is using smart technology to help find pets homes.
The group uses social media to mobilise volunteers, and find homes for stray animals, while educating residents about pet care.
STORYLINE
34-year-old Wulan Purwono has an important trip to the animal clinic today.
She is taking recently rescued stray dog, Domino for his first medical examination.
The 5-year-old male Shih Tzu was found wandering around a housing complex in the western part of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. He was dirty, hungry and stressed.
After an initial check, the veterinarian discovered that Domino has had some teeth missing and a mild skin disease due to his previously poor diet and hygiene.
Otherwise, all of Domino's vital organs seem to be in a fairly good condition.
Wulan has asked the vet to sterilise Domino.
This operation is an important procedure undertaken to control Jakarta's population of stray animals. It also makes them calmer and less aggressive toward others.
Wulan is one of a growing number of volunteers working for Let's Adopt Indonesia, a local unit of a non-profit organisation founded in the U.S., dedicated to rescue stray animals and find them a permanent home.
Let's Adopt Indonesia was launched in January 2011 by 3 animal lovers in Jakarta.
The group depends heavily on several dozen volunteers and the social media to carry out their mission.
Its Facebook page has the latest information on animals that are up for adoption and is an important tool to raise funding for its operation.
The page currently has more than 16,000 likes.
"We are asking those who have liked our Facebook page to join us in actively rescuing and adopting animals, providing them with foster homes and becoming volunteers. When we receive a report about dogs and cats that need to be rescued, we are counting on the person filing the report to participate in the process," says Wulan.
The animal rescue group has 10 temporary shelters around the city to keep stray animals waiting for a new owner.
A three-legged female cat named Slipi is living in one of the shelters.
In June last year, 31-year-old cat lover Sandy Darmowinoto got a text message from a colleague telling her that a cat had been seen walking with a limp near her office.
After work, Darmowinoto scoured the streets around the building and found the cat in a bad shape.
"When I found this cat, one of her legs had been swollen with a rotting wound. I took her with my bare hands and got into a taxi to treat the cat at a clinic," remembers Darmowinoto.
Slipi turned out to have a serious infection from the wounds on one of her front legs. The doctor had to amputate Slipi's leg to save her life.
Since the operation, Sandy, who has already adopted two cats in the past, has taken care of Slipi in her small house.
But today Wulan has come with a news that would change Slipi's life. The group has found the three-legged cat a new home.
Let's Adopt Indonesia has strict requirements when looking for adopted homes for animals in their care.
Candidates for animal adoption must be non smokers, have other pets at home and keep them indoors.
They are also expected to feed the animals with raw meat because it is more natural and healthier for carnivores such as dogs and cats.
The group carries out email interviews and house visits for potential candidates before approving an adoption.
34-year-old government employee Hayat Fajaria Isminarti found out about the three-legged cat through the group's Facebook page and immediately fell in love with Slipi.

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